Austin, Texas Creates Habitat for the Declining Monarch Butterfly

The City of Austin, Texas sits at a critical migration point for the monarch butterfly. In the spring, Austin is one of the first places in the U.S. that the monarch stops to lay its eggs on milkweed, so the next generation can continue the journey north. During the fall migration, monarchs stop to feed on nectar plants because they need to fatten up on their way to Mexico where they will overwinter.

“The City Manager is directed to collaborate with the local offices of the National Wildlife Federation and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and initiate a process for incorporating the cultivation of native milkweed where feasible into the city’s landscape portfolio at Austin City Hall, city-owned buildings and properties, as well as the city’s vast preserve lands, parks, and open spaces.” – The City of Austin

This is a big win for the monarch butterfly and all the citizens of Austin who love this iconic and declining species. Austin manages nearly 20,000 acres of land through the Austin Parks and Recreation Department and another 7,000 through the Austin Water Utility Wildlife Conservation Division. While no one would imagine that all of these lands will be managed with the monarch as its primary or only constituent, this resolution represents a significant step to plant more milkweed on city land.

NWF presents Austin Mayor Steve Adler with certificate for the most wildlife-friendly city in America. Pictured from left to right: NWF Habitat Steward Volunteers Pat and Dale Bulla, City Council Member Leslie Pool, NWF Senior Education Manager Marya Fowler, Austin Mayor Steve Adler and City of Austin Park Ranger LaJuan Tucker. Photo by NWF

The city of Austin also owns and operates 500 buildings and properties, ranging from libraries and police stations to Austin City Hall and the Austin Nature and Science Center. New demonstration gardens in prominent locations such as these could engage thousands of citizens each day and promote the planting of milkweed and pollinator friendly plants.

While this new resolution is a big boost for monarch conservation in Austin, the city has other efforts that help create habitat for the monarch, pollinators and other wildlife.